In the paper, by analyzing 1/2 subharmonic resonance of a two-degree-of-freedom nearly linear system with closely spaced natural frequencies, the point at that typical nonlinear kinetic phenomena such as almost periodic response due to Hopf bifurcation would happen when IRCF (internal resonance due to closely spaced natural frequencies) exists is put forward. In that case, instead of the linear model a nonlinear one should be adopted. The relationship between the failure of linear model and the excitation level and initial conditions is also discussed.